Constantine, Algeria

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Constantine or Qusantînah (Arabic: قسنطينة ) is the capital of Constantine Province (ولاية قسنطينة ) in north-east Algeria, slightly inland, at about 80 kilometers from the coast.

Regarded as the capital of eastern Algeria, it has a population of over 500,000 making it the third largest city in the country (after Algiers and Oran). It was originally settled by Phoenician migrants. It is named for Constantine I of the Roman Empire, who caused the city to be rebuilt; previously, its name had been Cirta. Constantine is believed to be the former capital city of the Numidia, a berber empire that emerged in the 3rd century B.C. The city is framed by a deep ravine and has a dramatic appearance. The city is very picturesque with a number of bridges and a viaduct crossing the ravine.

Since 1525 it was part of Ottoman Empire as Qusantina, since 567 as Beylik of Qusantina, subject to Algiers. When in 1826 the local Kabyle population declares independence, the last bey, Ahmed Bey ben Mohamed Chérif (b. c.1784, bey 1826 - 1848, d. 1850), was kept on, now as their 'head of state', and led the fierce resistance to the French occupation forces but was again maintained when on 13 October 1837 the territory was conquered by France, until in 1848 it was incorporated into the colony of Algiers (Algeria).

Constantine is home to the tomb of the Algerian national hero Abd al-Qadir al-Jazairi and the native city of the islamic reformator Ibn Badis.

It is also known for its universities (Mentouri & Zerzara & The Islamic University of El amir Abdelkader), designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Constantine's current zip code is 25000.

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